Columbus Gains Jobs, Unemployment Climbs

A new report on Central Ohio's economy shows the region gained more than 9,000 jobs in early 2012. The group, Columbus 2020, says despite the additional jobs the region's unemployment rate increased from 6.8% to 7%  percent as more discouraged workers give up their job search. Healthcare and retail sectors in Central Ohio added the most jobs during January, February, and March. But, manufacturers shed more than 3,000 workers as companies  turned to more automation on the factory floor. The Central Ohio workforce stands at 917,000 in an area covered by Franklin and ten surrounding counties.